Tiffany Haney
Barbecue sauce is a popular addition to many dishes, but can you use it in an air fryer? The short answer is yes, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Firstly, barbecue sauce has a high sugar content, which means it burns easily. To avoid this, it's best to add the sauce during the last few minutes of cooking. This will give you glossy, glazed chicken without burning. Secondly, it's important to preheat your air fryer, just as you would a grill, to ensure the chicken starts cooking immediately and cooks evenly. Finally, leaving space between each piece of chicken will encourage proper airflow and even cooking. By following these tips, you can enjoy juicy, lightly charred barbecue chicken straight from your air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you use barbecue sauce in an air fryer? | Yes |
| Type of barbecue sauce | Your choice of store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce |
| When to add barbecue sauce | In the last few minutes of cooking to avoid burning |
| Air fryer temperature | 360°F-400°F |
| Air fryer cooking time | 10-20 minutes |
| Chicken temperature | 165°F |
What You'll Learn
When to add barbecue sauce to chicken in the air fryer
When making BBQ chicken in an air fryer, it is important to know when to add the barbecue sauce to the chicken. While the specific timing may vary slightly depending on the cut of chicken and the model of the air fryer, there is a general consensus among recipes that the barbecue sauce should be added towards the end of the cooking process.
For example, when cooking chicken breasts in an air fryer, it is recommended that the sauce be added when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches about 160-165°F. The chicken is then placed back in the air fryer for an additional 2-4 minutes. This timing ensures that the sauce does not burn and that the chicken is cooked evenly.
Similarly, when cooking chicken thighs, the sauce is added when the internal temperature reaches 160°F for boneless thighs and 170°F for bone-in thighs. The chicken is then returned to the air fryer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Adding the barbecue sauce towards the end of the cooking process helps to create a caramelized and lightly charred coating on the chicken, resulting in juicy and tender BBQ chicken.
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How to prevent barbecue sauce from burning in the air fryer
Yes, you can use barbecue sauce in an air fryer, but you need to be careful to prevent it from burning. Here are some tips to prevent barbecue sauce from burning in the air fryer:
Timing is Key
Wait until the chicken is partially cooked before adding the barbecue sauce. For chicken thighs, this means waiting until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C), and for chicken breasts, wait until they reach about 125°F (52°C). Then, add the sauce and continue cooking until the sauce is glazed and the chicken is cooked through.
Temperature Control
Barbecue sauce can burn if the temperature is too high. Keep the temperature below 350°F (177°C) to prevent the sugar in the sauce from burning.
Even Cooking
Ensure even cooking by leaving space between each piece of chicken in the air fryer. This allows for proper airflow and even cooking, preventing some pieces from burning while others are undercooked.
Oil the Air Fryer Basket
Before adding the chicken, brush or spray the air fryer basket with a high-heat oil, such as avocado oil, to prevent the sauce from sticking and burning.
Thickness of Chicken
Use chicken pieces that are similar in thickness, or pound the chicken to an even thickness. This helps ensure even cooking, preventing thinner pieces from burning while thicker pieces are still cooking.
Type of Chicken
Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces, such as drumsticks or thighs, tend to work better with barbecue sauce in the air fryer. The skin adds extra crispiness, and the bone helps prevent the meat from drying out and burning.
By following these tips, you can successfully use barbecue sauce in an air fryer without burning and enjoy delicious, juicy, and perfectly glazed barbecue chicken.
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How to prepare chicken for air frying
Choose your chicken
Air fryers can cook a variety of chicken cuts, including breasts, wings, thighs, and drumsticks. You can use either boneless or bone-in chicken, but note that cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the meat.
Prepare the chicken
If your chicken breasts are uneven, pound them to a uniform thickness for even cooking. You can also butterfly the chicken by cutting it in half lengthwise. Pat the chicken dry, then brush or spray it with oil.
Season the chicken
You can use a simple seasoning mix of salt and pepper, or create a spice rub with ingredients like smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken.
Preheat the air fryer
Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes suggest cooking chicken in the air fryer at temperatures between 360-400°F (182-204°C).
Place the chicken in the air fryer
Place the seasoned chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the pieces are not stacked or overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
Cook the chicken
Cook the chicken for the recommended time based on the cut and thickness. For example, chicken breasts will take around 20 minutes to cook through, while wings and drumsticks may take less time. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
Brush with barbecue sauce
Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the air fryer and brush both sides with your favorite barbecue sauce. Alternatively, you can brush the sauce on the chicken a few minutes before the end of the cooking time to let it caramelize.
Serve and enjoy!
Serve your air-fried barbecue chicken with your favorite sides, such as salad, air fryer potatoes, pasta salad, or corn on the cob. Enjoy!
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How to store leftover barbecue chicken
Yes, you can use barbecue sauce in an air fryer. However, it is recommended to add the sauce only in the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, as the high sugar content in barbecue sauce causes it to burn easily.
Leftover barbecue chicken can be stored in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you don't plan on eating the leftovers within this time, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store leftover barbecue chicken:
- Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature.
- Place the chicken in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
- Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- For freezing, it is recommended to use freezer-safe storage bags or containers, and to label them with the date and contents.
- When reheating, preheat the air fryer and heat the chicken for a few minutes until warmed through.
- If frozen, allow the chicken to thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before reheating.
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What to serve with barbecue chicken
Yes, you can use barbecue sauce in an air fryer, but it's recommended to add it towards the end of the cooking process to prevent burning. Now, onto the sides!
Barbecue chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Salads: A refreshing salad can balance out the richness of barbecue chicken. Try a classic like potato salad or coleslaw, or mix things up with a grilled zucchini salad, Greek cucumber salad, or watermelon basil salad.
- Vegetables: Grilled or roasted vegetables are a great way to add some colour and nutrition to your plate. Try charred broccoli, air fryer zucchini fries, or charred hispi cabbage with hazelnut chilli butter.
- Starches: If you're looking for something more filling, starches like mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, fries, or rice are always a good option. Baked avocado fries or sweet potato wedges could also be a fun choice.
- Bread: No barbecue is complete without some kind of bread. Try garlic rolls, cheesy garlic bread, or flatbread.
- Dips and sauces: Spice things up with some tzatziki, smoked queso, or cream cheese corn dip. Don't forget to grab your favourite bottle of BBQ sauce too!
- Corn: Air fryer corn on the cob or barbecued corn on the cob are classic sides that are sure to please.
- Meat: If you're feeling extra hungry, add some grilled veggie kabobs or barbecue country ribs to the mix.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use barbecue sauce in an air fryer, but it is recommended to add the sauce towards the end of the cooking process as it can burn easily due to its high sugar content.
It is best to add barbecue sauce during the last few minutes of cooking. This ensures the sauce is heated through without burning and gives your dish a pleasant char.
Adding barbecue sauce too early can result in burnt or blackened food. The sugar in the sauce burns at temperatures above 350 degrees Fahrenheit, so it's best to add the sauce when your food is almost cooked.
You can use any type of barbecue sauce you like. Store-bought or homemade sauces work well, and you can choose a sweet, tangy, or spicy option to suit your taste.
Barbecue sauce is commonly used with chicken, especially chicken breasts and thighs. However, you can also experiment with other proteins like salmon or ribs, and even vegetarian options like tofu or seitan.
